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Construction boom may strain labor force

State officials are predicting a labor shortage because of a number of construction projects in the next decade.

According to Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, the state's construction industry is expecting significant growth during the next 10 years, driven by military construction, private development and an ongoing high demand for residential housing. State officials said that collectively, the projects planned and under way will cost several billion dollars and require the addition of thousands of new workers to the labor force.

The Labor Department has issued a $100,000 grant to the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs to collect data and anticipate construction needs over the next year with the Hawaii Jobs Initiative.

"The Hawaii Jobs Initiative is a proactive effort to ensure that Hawaii's construction labor force is ready and able to meet our current and future construction needs," said Nelson Befitel, director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Moiliili festival offers a variety of activities

The 10th annual Discover Moiliili Festival is set for Oct. 8 at the Moiliili Community Center at Stadium Park.

The festival, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will feature taiko drummers, a farmer's market, crafts, food and children's activities. Parking at Kuhio School is free. Free trolley service will be offered from the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center on Kalakaua Avenue to Stadium Park every half-hour from 8:30 a.m.

Web site cuts paper out of contract process

The state now has an online system to make it easier for companies big and small to do business with the government.

Businesses that have state and county government contracts have long needed to submit to an arduous process of filling out paper forms with three state agencies and the Internal Revenue Service.

Local businesses can now log on to a Web site that guides them through the process. With a few mouse clicks, businesses should receive all the certificates they need, as well as timely reminders to pay their taxes.

Gov. Linda Lingle said Friday that the new system will be important for businesses in the far corners of the islands, such as Hana on Maui or the north shores of Kauai and Oahu.

"Thousands of people across the state now are going to have an easier time dealing with government," she said.

Hawaii Compliance Express: vendors.ehawaii.gov

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

LEEWARD OAHU
Man is nabbed after alleged knife assault of woman

Police arrested a 40-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted a woman with a knife Saturday in Ewa Beach.

Police said the suspect entered the victim's apartment about 11:40 a.m. and threatened her with a gun after she had an argument with his girlfriend, with whom she is acquainted.

The victim, 39, grabbed a knife to defend herself, but the suspect took it from her and cut the victim. Police said the suspect struck and threatened her before he fled.

The victim refused medical treatment.

Police located and arrested the 40-year-old man on suspicion of first-degree burglary.

WINDWARD OAHU
Report of fondling leads to man's arrest

A 48-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly fondled his girlfriend's daughter over a period of six years.

The victim, now 17 years old, made the sexual assault report after the suspect was also being arrested for physically abusing her Friday in Kaneohe. Police ended up arresting the suspect for abuse of a household member and third-degree sex assault.

HONOLULU
Victim in drowning near Goat Island ID'd

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office identified a 49-year-old woman who drowned while trying to swim to Goat Island as Rivette Samoson of Honolulu.

Police said Samoson was swimming to the island with her daughter about 9:15 a.m. Saturday.

Police said Samoson's daughter lost sight of her mother while they were swimming in rough waves. Samoson's daughter swam back to shore and called 911. Honolulu Fire Department search and rescue crews were on their way when surfers found Samoson floating offshore.